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How Nurses Can Help End Horizontal Hostility in Three Easy Steps

How Nurses Can Help End Horizontal Hostility in Three Easy Steps

Cindy Mehallow / Monster Contributing Writer

Nurses are supposed to be compassionate caregivers. So why are so many scarred emotionally from the gossip, backstabbing, second-guessing and other abusive, demoralizing or hostile acts nurses inflict on one another?

If you’ve had enough of the fighting, read on. Veteran nurses explain why such horizontal hostility occurs, revealing the true price it exacts, and share tips for creating a more collegial workplace.

Originally published on Monster.com


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    TheBeatGoesOn

    over 4 years ago

    46 comments

    I have been in a position of the nurse issue of jealousy and competing in one of my work environments that was very hurtful to me and yes, emotionally damaging for a period of time due to
    the results of a couple of people who decided that it might be fun or strangely competitive to hurt their team member. I will never understand why we as a nursing profession want to eat our own as you have so appropriately said. Isn't it time for us to come along side each other and be encouragers of one another, learning from one another, assisting one another without all the
    drama. This is real life and real lives that we all deal with. Lets, lead, follow, and join hands, we are a Team of Caring Professionals.

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    aidalornafe

    over 4 years ago

    2 comments

    Another reason why LVN and RN clash is because we have no contentment.When we are not content we tend to envy people who has higher acievements, more money, more power, more beauty, skills, possessions.Instead of building ourselves by doing something in order to improve our situations in life, we put down others who we envy. How can we be one when we hate one another due envy?Let us realize that not everyone can be a boss.There should be one boss in order to have a smooth direction.Can you imagine a ship without a captain, do you think it will not sink if there are so many captains leading the direction of the paddle?Just because a LPN has acquired skills doesn't mean he is entitled to lead the ship.The LPN should not envy the RN who earns more money7 despite her less work.The RN has responsibilities that LPNs do not understand, and the latter should stop questioning it.If the LPN wants a better work condition, then he should strive too in order to get what the RNs get, and avoid blaming the circumstances why he cannot be an RN by licensure, if the LPN cannot get it, then don't blame the RN.

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    bourdony

    over 4 years ago

    68 comments

    there are many more reasons of the friction between RNS and LPNS. many times the facilities them selves create the friction . LPNS do a great deal of the hands on including med pass and the documentation. many times they are given a heavier load of patients than the RNS. the RNS are classified as administrative. they are suppose to do any admissions, emergencies or discharges. but many times the lpn ends up doing the bulk of it especially if the patient is assigned to his or her section. mind you not all RNS do this but i have encountered many that do and their response is i am in charge.the lpn earns 15 to 20000 dollars less than the RN but if you look at what LPNS are doing and requiered to do they are many times not even considered real nurses. yes we can go and get our RN tittle but some for whatever the reason, cannot afford to. we as nurses both the RN and LPN must work together as colleages and professionals. we must appreciate that we both bring good assetts and skills to this wonderful profession. we all contribute . we all have our specialties ,talents , and gifts. maybe when we start respecting , appreciating,and valuing each others contributions we can effect change. we are only as strong as we are united. Doctors and administrators get away with alot because we as nurses both RNS and LPNS alike are divided. As a result of this working conditions, pay scales, and benefits will never be fair because of the division among the ranks.Most of us end up overworked and dumped more workload with no end or compensation in sight. The bottom line stop bickering nurses and unite. elizabeth_bourdony@yahoo.com

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    rebeccamarcelin

    over 4 years ago

    4 comments

    Among many other reasons for leaving nursing ,this one ranks in the top 5. I can't believe some of the nastiest women are in a profession of compassion. Where's the compassion for one another!!

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    busybloom1

    over 4 years ago

    4 comments

    Thanks for sharing this. I am going thru this at my present place of employment.
    I will share this with my administrator and one by one we can make a difference,
    Latifah

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